How To Use Baking Soda To Fight Bad Breath?

Is bad breath stopping you from speaking in public? We know how embarrassing it can be. It is time to stop feeling helpless about this situation and take charge, with some baking soda. Read on to know how to use baking soda to get rid of that stench coming from your mouth.

A stinky breath is not just a precursor to social awkwardness, but can also be a possible indication to a problematic digestive system. Bad breath, or halitosis, can be caused due to internal reasons, such as stomach problems or infections of the tonsils, or external causes such as smelly foods (example, onions, and garlic) or even habitual smoking.

This foul smell keeping you away from people is emitted by a collection of anaerobic bacteria that call the tongue and the insides of the cheeks their home. So how do you combat bad breath? Long term solutions are to brush twice a day, keep yourself well hydrated or take medications for various infections. But we do have a quick fix for this problem that can be slightly long-lasting as well. Here is how baking soda can help you.

Can Baking Soda Prevent Bad Breath?

The one efficient answer to bad breath is baking soda. Baking soda is a unique composition indeed. Here is how it works for bad breath –

It is alkaline in nature and neutralizes the high acidic levels in your mouth that are the cause for bad breath (1).

It kills the bacteria in the mouth that thrive in an environment rich in acidity and sucrose, by utilizing its antimicrobial properties (2).

Since it is not acidic, it causes no harm to the teeth, gums or bones.

Given below are the various combinations in which baking soda can be used to lessen bad breath.

3. Baking Soda And Salt

You Will Need

What You Have To Do

Mix the salt and baking soda with the water and gargle with this for about a minute each time, until you use up all the water.

How Often You Should Do This

Use this mouth rinse every alternate day until the bad breath goes away.

Why This Works

Like baking soda, salt is also a pH neutralizing compound that also possesses antimicrobial properties (3, 4). By using both baking soda and salt in the gargle solution, the results can be achieved faster.

5. Baking Soda And Honey

You Will Need

What You Have To Do

Mix the baking soda powder and honey in water.

Drink this.

How Often You Should Do This

Repeat this once a day for a few days, until the bad breath vanishes.

Why This Works

Baking soda will bring back the pH balance in the stomach which may be causing the bad breath. This imbalance is usually due to an infection. The honey is soothing for the digestive lining that may be inflamed due to the infection. It is also antimicrobial in nature and contains anti-inflammatory compounds (6).

Why This Works

Apart from using these remedies, also remember to keep your diet healthy with the consumption of fresh, green vegetables, pulses, and whole grains. Avoid fatty meat, bread and any kinds of dairy products until the problem of bad breath has receded. Do keep the following points in mind too.

Few Points To Remember

Baking soda will not harm your body in any way if consumed in small doses. However, anything in excess is bad.

You can also chew on some cinnamon or cloves and then spit it out for instantly refreshing your breath.

Baking soda is one ingredient that is always stocked in every household. It helps not just in removing stains, but also in boosting your confidence by getting rid of your bad breath. Try the many combinations of baking soda for bad breath given in this article, for that million dollar smile!

If the bad breath does not recede even after a few days of using the remedies or becomes very strong, then the problem could be severe and you may need to consult a doctor as this could be a sign of a bigger problem in the digestive system.

Maintain dental hygiene and use these remedies whenever required. Hope we could be of help with this article. Do let us know in the comments section below.